3 sides to photography

[blacknet]

Hello,

After reading many post on this forum I have to say that a huge majority is equipment related. In all my photography studies I have learned there's 3 sides, 1) equipment, 2) artistic and 3) a blend of the two with a logical intuition control. In most cases it seems that most people is stuck in #1 and has yet to move to #2. Personaly I would like to see everyone move on to #2 and ultimately #3.

Ed

 

[notabob]

There are quite a few people here that are just starting up in UW photography (myself included) and, as you said, equipment is the 1st step. So naturally there will be a lot of discussions about that. I'm sure that many people here got interested in the subject by seeing the work and discussions of others they've met here. As such, the number of equipment questions (and many of them similar) will be significantly higher, as you noticed.

As to the artistic side of things - that's subjective. What's pleasing to one person's eye, may not be so to another. Something that speaks to me may not quite have the same effect on you, and vice versa. Also, not all photography is necessarily art. Sometimes photography is simply a means of documenting the places and things you saw, something to go back to and remember at a later date. Yet there is still a lot of technique and skill involved in making a good photograph. Good composition and mastery of equipment are paramount to taking better photos, be they artistic in nature or simply "documenting" material. Granted, the two are often related, but not always.

But I do agree that it would be nice to have more discussions be focused on technique and artistry of a shot. I say technique, because I feel it is just as important to know the best way to use your camera as it is to feel where and when to point it. The best way, I think, is for people to share their work here and for others to provide their criticism. Some already do, and a number of those that ask for equipment advise will hopefully start as well, once they get to take their new toys out for a spin.

Keep in mind, that ScubaBoard itself is not dedicated to UW photography, and on this board we only have one forum for the topic. So it is up to the people using this forum to direct the conversations here in the directions that we wish. Be it equipment, artistry, technique, or a blend of them all.

With that said, I'd be very curious to hear what other UW photographers on this forum have to share as far as their techniques and the thoughts that went into their shots. I noticed you doing that to an extent, and a few otehrs. It definitely helps to get a perspective on the shot, and I've enjoyed viewing yours and others' work.

-Roman.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

This is exactly my case in point. I mostly see equipment discussions and frequently see photographers get caught up in equipment and totaly forget about the other 2 aspects. It's never been about having the best equipment, it's been about making the most out of the equipment you have. There's no competition of who has the most toys wins.

Personaly I would like to hear more input on #2 and #3 point that I made.

Ed

 

[Scuba Jim]

I'm more than happy to discuss #2 and #3 with you.

What shall we talk about?

Regards
Jim

 

[OE2X]

"If you look through your camera and you see something you've seen before, don't click the shutter" - Alexey Brodovitch


As a pro photographer above water I have found that it takes time to master the technical aspect of photography. Whenever you purchase something new there is a learning curve. Great photographers spend less time dwelling on the technical and more time on the artistic. They know how to accomplish the technical and do so with little thought. This takes time and practice though.

When I started out as a pro, the camera systems were manual. In natural lighting conditions, I was able to judge my exposure to within a 1/4 stop, time and time again. With studio strobes, I became equally versed. I used to bracket every shot though. With my F5's , (in natural light) I can set the camera on automatic and have my exposure be very accurate. The plus of this is that I no longer have to think about exposure. Sort of like a dive computer vs. decompression tables... Sure I can do it all manually, but as long as I can trust my cameras why bother? Oh, I also find that I utilize auto focus as well. Yes, I can rack focus on the nose of a landing 747, but if the camera can do it as well as I, then why not let it?

I have an underwater housing and strobe set up that I'm just starting to use. Below the surface I'm out of my element and comfort zone. I have to check, double check, think through each exposure, position the strobe all before I can focus on the artistic merits of the shot. Though I have all the best gear, I am well aware that at this point in my adventure, that it won't create a good photo. If I study what others have done, get my technique solid (practice, practice, practice) then I may eventually be able to yield results similar to what I can do topside.

That said, discussing technique and equipment is very necessary to those of us starting out. We need to learn how to avoid back scatter or expose for the foreground and not have the rest of the shot go completely black. Until the shooter feels at ease with the technique there is no reason to move on to the artistic aspect. Without mastery of the technical you are just getting lucky. In many cases the only difference between a pro and an amature photographer is that the pro always brings back the shot. The pro also listens to Brodovitch...

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Well first off don't get me wrong. I see 9/10 posts on hardware and very little on #2 and #3. hardware is good, we need it and need to learn it, lets just not beat a dead horse

Scuba Jim, Lets start by doing good critiques on photo's that's posted here. Lets give feedback on all aspects and maybe we can get the group to move to #2 and #3. I also think it may actually bring in more photographers. I know several who doesn't like to hear all equipment talk.

Ed

 

[stiebs]

Firstly, good post to people thinking, blacknet. But I must disagree with your point #2. There are at least two other aspects which notabob and overexposed2X have touched on, and those are technical ability and technique.

Technical ability is being able to make good decisions on exposure and lighting, and having some idea that your photo is going to turn out right. After plenty of practice, that ability eventually gets better. For most of us, this will involve adapting what has already been learned above water.

Technique, I would say, involves such aspects as being able to frame your shot properly; the rule of thirds, and applying it underwater; applying depth of field in the right scenarios.

Artistic ability comes into play not only after equipment, technical ability and technique, but at all times. Artistry is being able to spot the right shot, determine the right angle at or from which to take it, deciding on a siloutte or a macro for the most effect. No matter what your equipment, or what your ability is, your artistic influence will make the picture.

I am by all means a very amateur and inexperienced photographer both above and below the surface, and I have taken plenty of photos which I like very much the subject and framing, but are unsuitable for enlarging because they lack the effect that I was originally after (incorrect exposure, or DoF usually)

Artistic ability you have right from the get go. Most people know what they like already, and I think that a lot of inexperienced photographers like myself, find that the hard part is making the print look as good as what the photo looked like in my mind at the time I was framing the shot.

 

[Zept]

Seems to me it's like diving in general. People talk about dive gear more than they talk about skills or diving experiences.

My pet peeve is people who obsess about focus to the exclusion of all else. I'd rather take a well-composed photo that's slightly soft than a pin-sharp one that's badly composed. Neither is any good, but the focus problem is relatively easy to fix, with practice.

Zept

 

[Jester]

I'm new to UW photography, and I'm still trying to master the technical aspects (If I take the photo at this setting with this strobe with this much ambient light, what happens?). I've found that in a roll of exposed film, although everythings recognizable, I'm lucky if there's ONE picture that I like, and I don't yet have one that I am truly proud of.

I've been frustrated by the fact that virtually all the threads here are discussing equipment (mostly digital), and although I know I'll probably get a digital camera "someday," there will be a lot of film through the MX-10 before that day comes.

I returned from Cozumel just after Thanksgiving, and my overwhelming focus was on, "How do you take a reasonably decent photograph when the current is pushing you along like you're in a moving car?" Haven't figured it out yet.

I'd certainly like to see more information and discussion on "technique." That being said, for those of you with brand new digital stuff, I'm envious.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Well part of the art is being in the right place at the right time. Being able to see as the camera see's. Being able to see the image before you snap the shutter.

The more you learn about photography the more you realize it's not about the equipment, it's about knowing how to use the equipment that you have.

Being in the right place at the right time is knowing and understanding your subject. It involves careful study in behavior and the like.

Able to see your subject is something that many people understand but not many really deeply experiences untill that magic day when it just clicks. what helps that day come is going out with specific goals in mind and alot of background in your subjects, it doesn't take that much know-how with your gear.

Seeing the photo before you snap the shutter is 50% artistic, 50% technical and 50% putting yourself at the right place at the right time.

Techniques differ according to the subjects and conditions. For dolphins in bimini it's F/5.6 and 1/125 shutter. 100 iso in the am and 400 iso for the 4pm magic.

If you look at your good shots you'll see that your doing all the right things unconsciously and your not aware your doing it.

Ed